Diesel Fitter Mining Jobs in New South Wales

Diesel fitters maintain and repair heavy mobile equipment including haul trucks, excavators, loaders, dozers and drill rigs. In underground mining, diesel fitters work on boggers (LHDs), underground trucks, jumbos and other specialised equipment. The role involves diagnosing faults, performing scheduled services, component change-outs and breakdown repairs, often in challenging underground or remote conditions.

A Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology (or equivalent diesel fitting trade qualification) is required. Most employers also require a Standard 11 mining induction, current driver's licence, and Working at Heights. Underground diesel fitters need an underground induction. Experience with Caterpillar, Komatsu or Liebherr equipment is highly valued by employers.

Heavy diesel fitters are among the best-paid trades in mining, with rates rising for experience on large fleet equipment such as CAT 793/797 trucks and Liebherr excavators. Common rosters include 2/1 and even time, with most positions flying from Perth or Brisbane to site and super paid on top of the advertised rate.

In New South Wales, diesel-fitter work is concentrated in the Hunter Valley coal fields, where Yancoal (Mount Thorley Warkworth), the Glencore-Yancoal Hunter Valley Operations joint venture and Whitehaven around Gunnedah keep large mobile fleets maintained. Because most workers live locally in Singleton, Muswellbrook and Cessnock, rosters lean residential and DIDO - 7/7 field service alongside 5/4 lifestyle weekday patterns - with far less FIFO than WA. A Certificate III trade qualification is the baseline, and coal sites require a NSW Coal Services (Order 43) medical and coal induction. The WesTrac dealer apprenticeship runs NSW intakes, and the HVO continuation project points to long-run maintenance demand.

New South Wales mining is centred on the Hunter Valley coal fields (Glencore, Yancoal, Peabody, BHP Mt Arthur) and the underground longwall operations south of Sydney and around Mudgee. The state also hosts the Cobar copper, zinc and gold belt and the Broken Hill silver-lead-zinc operations. NSW mining jobs are often residential or DIDO from regional towns like Singleton, Muswellbrook, Mudgee, Lithgow and Cobar.

What does a diesel fitter do in mining?

A mining diesel fitter maintains and repairs heavy mobile equipment such as haul trucks, excavators, loaders, drill rigs and underground vehicles. The work includes diagnostics, scheduled servicing, component replacements and breakdown repairs.

How much do diesel fitters earn in mining?

Heavy diesel fitters are among the best-paid trades in mining. Pay varies by roster, location and equipment type, with experienced fitters on large fleet equipment such as CAT 793/797 trucks at the higher end.

What qualifications do I need to be a mining diesel fitter?

You need a Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology or equivalent trade qualification. A Standard 11 mining induction, driver's licence and Working at Heights are also required. Underground roles need an underground induction.

Is diesel fitting a good career in mining?

Yes, diesel fitters are consistently among the most in-demand trades in Australian mining. The combination of strong pay, job security and ongoing demand for heavy equipment maintenance makes it an excellent career path in the resources sector.

Are NSW diesel-fitter jobs FIFO or residential?

Mostly residential or DIDO. Because Hunter Valley fitters typically live in Singleton, Muswellbrook or Cessnock, employers advertise 7/7 field-service and 5/4 weekday lifestyle rosters rather than the FIFO swings common in WA, SA and NT.